The term "limited edition" was first
introduced in the art world. Original pieces of art are expensive and
rare, so reproductions were made in limited numbers to be offered to
the public. These "limited editions" were normally of high quality and
individually numbered.

Limited editions followed in animation
art, where original seriographs were copied and released in limited
numbers to collectors. In recent years, limited editions have been introduced
to the movie art industry. They are sometimes issued as anniversary
issues.

Limited edition posters, by definition,
are not "legitimate theatre art." While they are either released
and/or authorized by movie studios, they are released to the public
for sale. Because they are issued in limited numbers, some collectors
deem them collectible. Many of the limited ediition posters contain
original artwork and some are numbered.

Limited edition posters may be released
by a movie studio, but they are generally issued by independent printers.
Three of the most recognized distributers are: